


The Marriage Question 










s^ The Dramatic Publishiog Company |jp| 



Practical Instructions for 
Private Theatricals 

By W. D, EMERSON 
Author of "A Country Romance," "The Unknown Rival," 
"Humble Pie," etc. 



Price, 25 cents 



Here is a practical hand-book, describing in detail all the 
accessories, properties, scenes and apparatus necessary for an 
amateur production. In addition to the descriptions in words, 
everything is clearly shown in the numerous pictures, more 
than one hundred being inserted in the book. No such useful 
book has ever been offered to the amateur players of any 
country. 

CONTENTS 

Chapter L Introductory Remarks. 

Chapter II. Stage, How to Make, etc. In drawing-rooms 
or parlors, with sliding or hinged doors. In a single large 
room. The Curtain; how to attach it, and raise it, etc. 

Chapter III. Arrangement of Scenery. How to hang it. 
Drapery, tormentors, wings, borders, drops. 

Chapter IV. Box Scenes. Center door pieces, plain wings, 
door wings, return pieces, etc. 

Chapter V. How to Light the Stage. Oil, gas and electric 
light. Footlights, Sidelights, Reflectors. How to darken the 
stage, etc. 

Chapter VI. Stage Effects. Wind, Rain, Thunder, Break- 
ing Glass, Falling Buildings, Snow, Water, Waves, Cascades, 
Passing Trains, Lightning, Chimes, Sound of Horses' Hoofs, 
Shots. 

Chapter VII. Scene Painting, 

Chapter VIII. A Word to the Property Man. 

Chapter IX. To the Stage Manager. 

Chapter X. The Business Manager. 

Address Orders to 
THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY 

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 



THE MARRIAGE QUESTION 



A MONOLOGUE 



By 
FRANCIS R. COLE 



! 
Author of "Belshazzar", "Standpatters", etc. 



Copyright, 1910, by The Dramatic Publishing Company 



CHICAGO 

THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY 



*$ f 






^ 



TMP92-008897 
©G1.D 22911 



THE MARRIAGE QUESTION. 

Alarmed at the numerous marriage failures that stalk 
through the land, many declare the country is going to 
the demnition bow-wows, and as I am a much married 
man, I have been called to preach you a sermonette on 
this great question of the day; and, using the sacred 
symbol of the Trinity, I'm going to divide the subject 
under three heads, of Love, Courtship, and Marriage; the 
three steps by which we are led here below, like lambs to 
the shambles. As I'm a much married man, as I said, I've 
much experience, ergo much advice. What a good thing 
people don't have to follow their own advice ! — there would 
be an advice famine. 

Overawed with the vastness of my momentous subject, 
I have consulted the solid tomes of thinkers and poets, and 
insulted the peroxide domes of drinkers and flirts. Notably 
among the former class I sought out Shakespeare, whom a 
late orator proclaimed "a great ocean of wisdom whose 
waves touched all the shores of thought." Ah [Opening 
large volume on the table], the first crack out of the box 
we come across this embalmed bit of crystal cackle from 
the "sweet Swan of Avon" — "Man has seven ages." Note 
the wording — man. AVoman's ages is still a dark question. 
Fact. After the first two she abolishes the other five. But 
to come to a head (as all like to see a blind boil), we come 
to Love. Emerson says, "Love is omnipresent in nature 
as motive and reward, it's our highest word, the synonym 
of God." It's our highest word, all right— why, the ali- 

3 



4 THE MARRIAGE QUESTION 

mony is frightfully high in some cases ; but as to its being 
the synonym of God, many here can testify it's the essence 
of Lucifer. Another author says, "Love's an indescribable 
something that fills every soul with celestial thrills." 
Mush ! Poet's license ! It's a fleeting itch of the heart, 
often dangerous and sometimes contagious, which only 
time can cure. Another fellow afflicted with the fever of 
analytic philosophy says, "Love on woman's part is the 
moving force of nature, the binding cement of society, the 
spirit of the universe; in brief, all nature wrapped into 
one desire." This hifalutin language comports with the 
feminine spirit, but on mere's man's part it's a silly ruling 
passion to be ruled and pay all the expenses of government 
and the millinery. Yet if we reflect we find some women 
are proper to sup port (support), sup champagne, and 
gulp down all drinkables in general. 

Now, this love acts differently on different individuals. 
Pat says "It's a recreation that won't let ye sleep with the 
pleasure of the pain." But let's see how it acts on others. 
On the bashful maid of yore the affliction of love was a 
solemn affair. She would "pine in thought, let conceal- 
ment, like a worm in the bud, feed on her damask cheek, 
and, with a green and yellow melancholy, sit like patience 
on a monument, smiling at grief." But this class of 
maiden is about extinct. We live in a practical age, and 
the gentler sex is now aggressive. Take the maiden of 
today (if you can) ; when she's affected she straightway 
becomes a student and a philosopher. She discovers corn 
will pop best over a red-hot stove in the bright kitchen, 
but that the question will pop better over a cozy sofa in 
the subdued light of the parlor. She also becomes an 
economist. For economy she has the Welsbach light 
skinned to death — she trains an ordinary gas jet down 
to a consumption of three feet a week. While on the 



THE MARRIAGE QUESTION 5 

simple-minded young man love acts in the opposite direc- 
tion. He recklessly burns up a week's salary in one night, 
and will pawn all his earthly possessions in order to get 
duckie a diamond. But to rush on (though I'm no Rus- 
sian), we had better come to our second head — Courtship. 
Courtship, like whiskey and the police, gets many people 
into trouble. Although a fool may be born every minute, 
he doesn't get his diploma till he steps up to the little 
window and gets his marriage license. In fairness, it 
must be said courtship is the one place where man has 
his SAY. There's no cry, "Get the hook !" Even if he 
has nothing to say, he can still hold his audience— if she 
don't weigh over a quarter ton. Ah, my friends, if circum- 
stances are favorable courtship is the state sublime, where 
all seasons summer and all nights June, in the light of 
the silvery moon. Some realize this. When Riley asked 
Bridget to marry, the old gal said, "111 marry ye, Riley; 
but ye aren't goin' to cheat me out of me courtin', for a' 
that." Others regard marriage a lottery and grab at the 
first chance. A fellow called up his girl on the phone: 
"Hello, lovey; that you? Awfully busy; can't get off 
tonight." She answered, "All right, dear." He followed 
it up with, "Say, old gal, can you marry me ?" She replied, 
"Guess I can." Emboldened, he asked her straight, "Will 
you marry me ?" Six voices shouted "Yes !" These party 
lines are great. Shakespeare says, "Courtship and mar- 
riage go by haps; some cupids kill by arrows, some by 
traps." And some of these killing-traps are in the form 
of gushy mush known as love letters. Oh, they are sweet 
morsels — in a breach-of-promise or divorce case. If love 
anywhere runs to seed, it's in the silly nilly love letters. 
There was a country swain who used to kiss the letters he 
wrote his sweetheart, adding an X where he did so. Not 
having any more room on the paper for more marks, he 



6 THE MARRIAGE QUESTION 

sent a check for one hundred kisses. The girl was de- 
lighted, fixed things up, and phoned him, saying: "I got 
check 0. K., and friend Billy, 'cross the way, cashed it 
at once." 

During the Middle Ages troubadours courted the lady 
of their fancy by taking their guitars and serenading her 
beneath her window. I was smitten with a maiden once, 
and everything was arranged, when one of these fellows 
with a high tenor and a dash of Spanish serenading in 
his makeup came along and captivated my angel dumpling. 
She was a peach, too, — rich — a bunch of sparkling rhinos 
here and on her fingers. Oh, there was some glass to her, 
all right. I was crumpled and grumpy and didn't know 
what to do. At last I decided to have my vocal pipes 
cleaned, oiled and put in shape ; and went down to a long- 
haired, black-eyed professor, and he pried me loose from 
a chunk of adhesive tin and set me loose on the world with 
the same song my rival flourished. I felt strong, but the 
first time I tried it out on my maiden the neighbors noti- 
fied the humane society. Maybe it was cruelty to young 
animals. It went like this, as I remember it. [Song, 
"I Love You, Will, Forever"] 

A fellow can't be too careful. The first thing he knows 
he's smitten ; then he finds himself in the air. The woods 
are so full of coquettes, and the heart of a coquette is like 
a street car — always room for one more ; and they've always 
been so. Madame de Stael, the vivacious French court 
beauty, when she was writing her memoirs, was asked 
how she was going to depict herself in her numerous gal- 
lantries and flirtations, and she replied, "Merely as a bust." 
you heart busters! That's another reason why every 
man should know how to swim. He don't know what 
minute he'll be thrown overboard. But one can rely gener- 
ally that girls like heroes or men who have clone a signal 






THE MARRIAGE QUESTION 7 

service in the world. They dote on a man of deeds. — 
Deeds to houses and lots are their favorites. 

But now we come to marriage. Marriage [Sighing 
sentimentally] is a beautiful dream [Pause] and a hor- 
rible awakening. You may laugh, my friends, but, like 
some farce comedies, it's no laughing matter. A religious 
hermit described marriage as a "state of probation in which 
man is placed to prepare him for a better life." It's cer- 
tainly a test, all right. The trouble with us men, we 
are too weak-kneed. First we're chicken-hearted bachelors, 
then we're hen-pecked husbands. What we want is "Men 
with force and skill, To turn the current of woman's will ; 
For if she will, she will, you can depend on it ; And if she 
won't, she won't, and there's an end on it." 

Now, I'm from Missouri and want to know what's what 
and where I'm at; so I said to wifey when we got home 
from the ceremony, "Jane, are you going to be president 
or vice-president of the joint stock concern we've organized 
today?" She said, "Neither; I'll be only the treasurer." 
ONLY. I've finally come to the conclusion that I am 
only a silent partner. 

My wife's a great talker — conversationalist, I believe the 
ladies term it. The only time she's a good listener is 
when I talk in my sleep. Wife took sick and the doctor 
said she needed change. Well, sir, she got going through 
my pockets every night. Disappointment made her worse. 
So I set to work on her case myself. I've always fancied 
myself more or less of a healer, having been in ward 
politics several years. I thought if she took good exercise 
she'd get an appetite; good appetite would make good 
blood ; good blood, a strong, healthy body. So I set her to 
washing; but she objected to being kept in hot water. 
Then Mr. Happy Thought came briskly to my rescue. 
Realizing woman's strong weakness, as Pat would say, for 



8 THE MARRIAGE QUESTION 

shopping, I encouraged her at it; so on sales days at the 
department stores I'd give her four or five hours to shop. 
Why, those bargains are as good and exciting exercise as 
a football game. I don't see why the government don't 
recruit the cavalry from the ranks of women. They're 
natural born chargers. 

When you get married you settle down — and sometimes 
settle up. You pick out a nice flat or cottage and form neigh- 
bors. Now,we have to the north a clever woman ; she knows 
her husband like a book, and shuts him up as quickly. 
Whew, she's smart ! To know her is a liberal education, but a 
college one is cheaper. In due time babies arrive. Babies, 
the spice of life. It's then you seem blessed by a hand 
from above. The Bible says the wise man may learn from 
the babe. An instance: they teach you system. Babies 
have a place for everything and try to put everything in 
place — their mouth. If your family comprises a mother- 
in-law you have a big subject to contend with. I had an 
acquaintance who tried to drown his troubles by turning 
the hose on his mother-in-law. Don't try it. When you're 
married twenty-five years, that's your silver wedding ; fifty 
years, your golden wedding ; but when your wife dies, that's 
your jubilee. The trouble with woman is, she wants too 
much. Hubby comes home with his wages in his envelope, 
hands it to wifey, and she isn't happy. She thinks he 
ought to make more. She's like a mortgage — it takes a lot 
to satisfy her. It's no wonder she drives man to drink — 
it's such an easy job. A widow attended a seance in Dublin 
recently, and the medium announced that the spirit of her 
deceased husband was there and wanted to speak with her. 
She started, "Is thot ye, Shamus?" Spirit— "Yis, it's Oi." 
W.— "Are ye happy?" S.— "Yes; very happy." W.— 
"Happier thon ye wuz wid me, Shamus ?" S. — "Yis ; much 
happier." W.— "Where are ye, Shamus?" S.— "In hill." 






THE MARRIAGE QUESTION 9 

It's no wonder men are the most homesick when they are 
at home. Woman's spending power exceeds man's earning 
capacity. Eight here let me confidentially tell my friends 
of a little book that will help, them conquer all matters of 
household economy — the full pocketbook. Ah, ladies, if 
you're honest, now, you must admit you're like dogs; you 
need muzzling (muslin) in hot weather. You may wish 
to ask me, holding the opinions I do, how I got the idea 
of marrying. I didn't; it was an idea of my wife's. You 
see, my wife was a widow and knew how to handle me. 
Of course, in my dreamy youth I had an ambition to be- 
come the captain of some damsel's ship and sail the gay 
bark of conjugal bliss over the stormy ocean of life. My 
wife settled that; she said I would have to be her second 
mate. My spouse is now a stout little craft of about forty 
horsepower and as fine a Eevenue Cutter as there is afloat. 
And I guess I'd better get out of here [Turning, and 
acting as though she might be coming] ;' there might be 
some maneuvers of attack, or a sudden squall and a "man 
overboard !" 

[Hurried exit.] 



Joe Ruggles 

OR 

THE GIRL MINER 

A Comedy Drama in Fout Acts 

By FRANK J. DEA.N 
Price, 25 cents 

Nine male, three female characters. A. vigorous, stirring 1 play, 
depicting peculiar types of life in a large city and in the mining 
districts of the West. The parts of Joe Ruggles, the miner, Hans 
Von Bush (Dutch dialect), and Richard Hamilton, the scheming 
villain, all afford opportunity for clever work; while the part of 
Madge (soubrette), who afterwards assumes the character of Mark 
Lynch, is an excellent one for a bright young actress. 

Scenery — City street, showing R. R. Station; rocky pass, with 
eet cabins; a wood scene, and two plain interiors. Costumes of the 
.aay. Time of playing, two and a half hours. 

SYNOPSIS OF EVENTS 

ACT I— Entrance to Railroad Station 

Looking for a victim — Joe Ruggles — "Them galoots is worse than 
grizzlies" — "Morning papers" — Madge and Bess plying their trades— 
"Can't you sing Joe a song?" — Hamilton and his pal confer — Tom 
Howarth gains inportant information — "Don't you dare to lay 
hands on us!" — Hamilton tries to maintain his authority — "Who? 
Old Joe!" 

ACT II — Doomsday's Hotel, Dare -devil's Gulch, California 

The landlord secures a guest — Hans disappointed — "Dot is a mis- 
dake" — A ghost story — The "Kid and his sister" — "Did I hurt your 
Highness?" — Hans and Doomsday have another talk — Kate Laurel 
meets the young miner — "Yah, dot vas vot I t'inks" — Madge's dis- 
guise penetrated — She recognizes an old enemy — "Now, George 
Smith, take your choice" — Joe Ruggles as a tramp — "Ef yer think 
yer can pick on me because I'm han'some ye'll find me ter hum" — 
Hamilton appears — "Those two youngsters are mine" — The tramp 
takes a hand. 

ACT III -Wood Scene 

A lively ghost— Hamilton and Smith plan more villainy — Old Joe 
thinks of turning Detective — Kate Laurel again— "There is a secret 
connected with my life" — Kate's confession — "What do you mean, 
sir?" — Tom Howarth once more — "Vos you looking for a hotel?" — 
Planning an abduciion — Old Joe as an Irishman — "Phat does yez 
want wid me?"— Undertakes to be a detective— Takes a ha.nO in 
the abduction — "Do it at your peril." 

ACT rv 

Hans hears, and tells, the latest news — "I nefer pelieved dot 
spook peesness" — Kate Laurel astonished — Hamilton attempts 
flight — "De poys haf got Mr. Hamilton, und dey vill gif him a 
necktie bartv" — Arrest of * Smith— "Get out mit my vay, I vas de 
United States Mail"— Tom meets his old friend under new circum- 
stances— "Do you want me, Tom?"— Old Joe gives consent--^ 
iiappy ending. 

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CHICAGO. IUJNOIS 



Uncle Rube 

An Original Homestead Play in Four Acts 

By CHARLES TOWNSEND 
The Finest Rural Drama Ever Published 



Price, 25 cents 



CHARACTERS 

RUBEN RODNEY (Uncle Rube), Justice of the Peace. School 

Trustee, and a master hand at "swappin' hosses". .. .Character lead 

SIMON SMARLEV, a smooth and cunning old villain 

, . . • ■ • ■ ■ •■ •• ' : Character heavy 

MARK, his son. a promising young rascal Straight heavy 

GORDON GRAY, a popular young artist Juvenile lead 

UPSON ASTERBILT, an up-to-date New York dude 

Character comedy 

IKE, the hired man. "I want ter know!" Eccentric 

BUB GREEN, a comical young rustic Low comedy 

BILL TAPPAN. a country constable Comedv 

MILLICENT LEE. "the pretty school teacher" Juvenile lady 

MRS. MARTHA BUNN, a charming widow. .. .Character comedv 

TAGGS, a waif from New York Soubrette 

Time — Mid Autumn. Place — Vermont. 

Time of playing— Two hours and a quarter. 

SYNOPSIS 
ACT I. The Old Homestead. Uncle Rube arrives. 
ACT II. The Constable's office. The plot to ruin Uncle Rube. 
ACT III. Evening at the old farm. Uncle Rube is arrested. 
ACT IV. The Constable's office again. The old farmer wins! 

This play was written by one of the most popular of American 
dramatists, whose works have sold by the hundreds of thousands. 
One of the best plays of its class ever written. Splendid characters. 
Powerful climaxes. Bright wit. Merry humor. Very easy to pro- 
duce. Requires only three scenes. No shifts of scenery during any 
act. Costumes all modern. No difficult properties required. 

THE AUTHOR'S OPINION 

MR. TOWNSEND says of this drama: "I consider that 'Uncle 
Rube' is far superior to any play depicting country life that I have 
yet written." 



This is the play for everybody — amateurs as well as professionals. 
Jt can be produced on any stage, and pleases all classes, from the 
rest critical city audiences to those of the smallest country towns. 
Panted directly from the author's acting copy, with all the original 
stage directions. 

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 



Won Back 

A Play in Four Acts 

By 
CLIFTON W. TAYLEUR 

Price, 25 cents 

Six male, four female characters. A play written in the same 
vein as "Held by the Enemv," "Shenandoah," "Across the Poto- 
mac." and other great New York successes. Mr. Tayleur has writ- 
ten many successful plays, but this striking picture of the stirring 
times of the Great Rebellion surpasses them all. Costumes, civil 
and military of the period. Scenes, two interiors, and one land- 
scape with Confederate camp, easily managed. Time of playing, 
two hours and thirty minutes. 

SYNOPSIS OF EVENTS 
ACT I — Drawing-room, Arlington, Washington — 1860 

"Whom first we love, you know, we seldom wed; 
Time rules us all: and life indeed is not 
The thing we planned it out. ere hope was dead, 
And then, we women cannot choose our lot." 
In betters — The rivals — North and South — The coy widow — A 
noted duelist — An old affection — The dismissal — The rivals meet — > 
"You shall answer for this" — Farewell. 

ACT II — Sams Scene— I860 

"Who might have been — Ah. what, I dare not think! 
We are all changed. God judges for the Dest. 
God help us do our duty, and not shrink, 
And trust in Heaven humbly for the rest." 
Broken ties — A Vassar girl's idea of matrimonv — A Washington 
savage — Schooling a lover — Affairs of honor — The Northern fire- 
eater — The missing challenge — Betrothed. 

ACT III — Drawing-room in New York Hotel— 1 86 J 

"With bayonets slanted in the glittering light 
With solemn roll of drums, 
With starlit banners rustb.ng wings of night, 
The knightly concourse comes." 
To arms! To arms! — Stand by the flag — A woman's duty — A 
skirmish in the parlor — On to Richmond — Reunited — The passing 
regiment. 

ACT IV— Confederate Camp at Winchester J 864 

"No more shall the war cry sever, or the winding river be red: 
They banish our anger forever, when they laurel the graves of our 
dead." 
A cowards' armor — A hand to hand struggle — Hugh captured — 
Sentenced to be shot — A ministering angel — Harold Kfng's re- 
venge — The attack on the camp — Death of King — After the battle- 
Won back. 

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CHICAGO. ILLINOIS 



The Spinsters' Convention 

(The Original 
Old Maids' Convention) 



Price, 25 cents 



An evening's entertainment which is always a sure hit and 
a money-maker. Has been given many hundred times by 
schools, societies and churches, with the greatest success. An 
evening of refined fun. It requires from twelve to twenty 
ladies • and two gentlemen, although ladies may take the two 
male parts. A raised platform with curtains at the back is 
all the stage requires, but a fully equipped opera stage may 
be utilized and to great advantage. 

Ridiculous old maid costumes, with all their frills and fur- 
belows, their cork-screw curls, mittens, work bags, bird cages, 
etc., are the proper costumes. Later on in the program some 
pretty young women in modern evening dress are required. 
The latter should each be able to give a number of a mis- 
cellaneous program, that is, be able to sing, play some instru- 
ment, dance, whistle or recite well. 

This entertainment utilizes all sorts of talent, and give<j 
each participant a good part. Large societies can give every 
member something tc do. 

SYNOPSIS 

Gathering of the Members of the Society— The Roll-Call — The 
Greeting Song-— Minutes of the last meeting— Report of The Treas- 
urer — Music: "Sack Waltz" — A paper on Woman's Rights — Song: 
"No One to Love, None to Caress." — Reading of "Marriage Statis- 
tics" — The Advent of the Mouse — Initiation of two Candidates into 
the Society — The Psalm of Marriage — Secretary's Report on Eligible 
Men — A Petition to Congress — Original Poem by Betsy Bobbett — 
Song: "Why Don't the Men Propose?" — Report of The Vigilance 
Committee — An Appeal to the Bachelors — Prof. Make-ever -^I-q 
Remodelscope. -Testimonials — The Transformation and a .\ii«sc«J- 
laneous program. 

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 



Tompkin* s Hired Man £ Th a ^Acts 

By EFFIE W. MERRIMAN PRICE, 25 CENTS 

This is a strong play. No finer character than Dixey, the hired 
man, has ever been created in American dramatic literature. He 
compels alternate laughter and tears, and possesses such quaint 
ways and so much of the milk of human kindness, as to make him 
a favorite with all audiences. The other male characters make 
good contrasts: Tompkins, the prosperous, straightforward farmer; 
Jerry, the country bumpkin, and Remington, the manly young 
American. Mrs. Tompkins is a strong old woman part; Julia, the 
spoiled daughter; Louise, the leading juvenile, and Ruth, the romp- 
ing soubrette, are all worthy of the best talent. This is a fine play 
of American life; the scene of the three acts being laid in the 
kitchen of Tompkin's farm house. The settings are quite elaborate, 
but easy to manage, as there is no change of scene. We strongly 
recommend 'Tompkin's Hired Man" as a sure success. 

CHARACTERS 
Asa Tompkins — A prosperous farmer who cannot tolerate deceit. 
Dixey — The hired man, and one of nature's noblemen. 
John Remington — A manly young man in love with Louise. 
Jerry — A half-grown, awkward country lad. 
Mrs. Tompkins — A woman with a secret that embitters her. 
Julia — A spoiled child, the only daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. 

Tompkins. 
Louise — The daughter whom Mr. Tompkins believes to be his own. 
Ruth — Mr. Tompkin's niece, and a great romp. 
Plays about two hours. 
SYNOPSIS 

Act 1. Sewing carpet rags. "John and I are engaged." "Well, 
you can disengage yourself, for you'll never be married." "Mrs. 
Clark, she's took worse." Who makes the cake? Julia declines to 
sew carpet rags. "It would ruin my hands for the piano or my 
painting." Dixey to the rescue. "You take the rags a minute, 
child, and I'll just give that fire a boost." Dixey's story. "It 
breaks his heart, bat he gives her away, an' he promises never ten 
let her know as how he's her father." Enter Jerry. "Howdy." 
John gets a situation in the city. Farewell. "It's a dandy scheme, 
all the same. We'll have our party in spite of Aunt Sarah." "Oh, 
I'm so happy." The quartette. Curtain. 

Act 2. Chopping mince meat. The letter. Louise faints. "How 
dare you read a paper that does not concern you?" "You have 
robbed me of my father's love." The mother's story. Dinner. "1 
swan. I guess I set this table with a pitchfork." "Now, Lambkin, 
tell Dixey all 'bout it, can't yer?" "It looks zif they'd got teh be a 
change here purty darned quick, an' zif I'm the feller 'lected teh 
bring it 'bout." "None o' my bizness, I know, but — I am hei 
father!" "It's love the leetle one wants, not money." "If I'd beeif 
a man, I'd never given my leetle gal away." "I'm dead sot on them 
two prop'sitions." Curtain. 

Act 3. Dixey builds the fh-e. "Things hain't so dangerous whei» 
everybodys' got his stummick full." The telegram. "It means that 
Louise is my promised wife," "By what right do you insinuate that 
there has been treachery under this roof?" "A miserable, dirty, 
little waif, picked up on the streets, and palmed off upon my fathef 
as his child!" "Oh, my wife, your attitude tells a story that breaks 
my heart." "Yeh tlruve her to do what she did, an' yeh haint got 
no right teh blame her now." "Friend Tompkins, a third man has 
taken our leetle gal an' we've both got teh larn teh git along without 
her. We kin all be happy in spite o' them two sentimental kids." 
Curtain. Address Orders to 

THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY 

CHICAGO. ILLINOIS 



Capt Racket 

A Comedy in Three Acts 

By CHARLES TOWNSENU 



Price, 25 cents 



est s^tHSS r iT "" r~„, Th i 

good play can afford to Ignore it! compames - N ° seeker for a 

CHARACTERS 
•£tf£ gSSBSS^Sre dTand* 6 ^?^^ * .awyer 
te?^?^™ '^'une.e'; ironi' *££ V^Xfmat* 
sorTSrV T °^' AN ' ' '^ ™" "«'° =d '^rneyr'andT, 
Kn H ?ot LR ° Y ' WS '-^Unliaw.'ioily - o'.d co™! ! ! ! [^.EeeenWe 
o5S5£^.. Wa ' ter fTOm the "™* ^iana," who adds to th" 

KATY, a mischievous maid'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. llT,? 

TOOTSY, the "Kid." Tim's olive branch'.'.'.'.'.'.'.';/.'.". - . - . - . - ;.™^ 9 

SYNOPSIS 

Tort' ''Time- Ce: 4 T!™' s countl ? tame on the Hudson near New 
l \ nc k y«a?e? e a fl , A ht b ana Z ?ro m b °i I e n ' b n e S g i„ 1 s SePtembCT - The Captata " 

trouble increases and the Captain prepares for war. 

Act III. Place: the same, Time: Evening- of the <*amr> x av 

Jt°fast mi tK rLfZr Val mUddIe - A n Dance OT you^l die?'' Sa Cornfr a e y d 
at last. The Captain owns up. All serene. u 

Time of playing: Two hours. 

Address Orders to 

THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING CXDMPANY 

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 



Hick'ry Farm 

A Comedy Drama of New England Life 
in Two Acts 

By EDWIN M. STERN 



Price, 25 cents 



Six male, two female characters. The play deals with the same 
phases of life as "The Old Homestead" and "The County Fair," 
and is written in the same comedy vein which has rendered these 
two pieces so popular. The courtship of the Irish alderman is one 
of the most ludicrous scenes ever written, while the scenes between 
the old farmer and his daughter are most touching and pathetic. 
Scenery, a set cottage and a plain room. Costumes of the day. 
Time of playing, an hour and a half. 



SYNOPSIS OF INCIDENTS 

ACT I — Hick'ry Farm House 
Darkwood's Plot— Skinner tempted— Money! Gold!— Zekiel ap- 
pears _"Be you Ann Maria's boy?"— Fortune's reminiscences— The 
deed must be stolen!— Hard cider— Aunt Priscilla's love— The alder- 
man's brogue— "Dear departed Hezekiah"— Jessie's secret— "Then 
you still love me?"— "Larry McKeegan's courtin' "—The "widdy" 
succumbs— "Zekiel's fav'rit' song"— McKeegan's ghost— Jack Nel- 
son makes a discovery— Jessie has gone!— "Heaven help -me!"— 
Zekiel's prayer. 

ACT II — In Fortune's Shanty 
Zekiel's misfortunes— The rent collector— Darkwood's insult— 
"Villain, you lie!"— Skinner's remorse— The New York detective— 
The bank robbery— Darkwood threatens— Jessie returns— The alder- 
man married— "Sure it's a darlint little woife she is"— Zekiel's hap- 
piness— "Gosh! I ain't felt so gol-darned happy sinct I wuz a boy" 
—A trap for Darkwood— Jack and Jessie reunited— Priscilla paci- 
fied— Darkwood at bay— "Stand aside, as you value your lives!"— 
the detective fires— "You've done for me this time!"— Zekiel's for- 
giveness—Old Hick'ry farm restored. 

Address Orders to 
THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY 

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 



Hageman's Make-Up Book 

By MAURICE HAGEMAN 

Price, 25 cents 

1 je importance of an effective make-up is becoming' more appar- 
ent to the professional actor every year, but hitherto there has been 
no book on the subject describing the modern methods and at the 
same time covering all branches of the art. This want has now 
been filled. Mr. Hageman has had an experience of twenty years 
as actor and stage-manager, and his well-known literary ability has 
enabled him to put the knowledge so gained into shape to be of 
use to others. The book is an encyclopedia of the art of making up. 
Every branch of the subject is exhaustively treated, and few ques- 
tions can be asked by professional or amateur that cannot be an- 
swered by this admirable hand-book. It is not only the best make- 
up book ever published, but it is not likely to be superseded by 
any other. It is absolutely indispensable to every ambitious actor. 

CONTENTS 

Chapter I. General Remarks. 

Chapter II. Grease-Paints, their origin, components and use. 

Chapter III. The Make-up Box. Grease-Paints, Mirrors, Face 
Powder and Puff, Exora Cream, Rouge, Liquid Color, Grenadine, 
Blue for the Eyelids, Brilliantine for the Hair, Nose Putty, Wig- 
Paste, Mascaro, Crape Hair, Spirit Gum, Scissors, Artists' Stomps, 
Cold Cream, Cocoa Butter, Recipes for Cold Cream. 

Chapter IV. Preliminaries before Making up; the Straight Make- 
up and how to remove it. 

Chapter V. Remarks to Ladies. Liquid Creams, Rouge, Lips, 
Eyebrows, Eyelashes, Character Roles, Jewelry, Removing Make-up. 

Chapter VI. Juveniles. Straight Juvenile Make-up, Society 
Men, Young Men in 111 Health, with Red Wigs, Rococo Make-up, 
Hands, Wrists, Cheeks, etc. 

Chapter VII. Adults, Middle Aged and Old Men. Ordinary Type 
of Manhood, Lining Colors, Wrinkles, Rouge, Sickly and Healthy 
Old Age, Ruddy Complexions. 

Chapter VIII. Comedy and Character Make-ups. Comedy Ef- 
fects, Wiss, Beards, Eyebrows, Noses, Lips, Pallor of Death. 

Chapter IX. The Human Features. The Mouth and Lips, the 
Eyes and Eyelids, the Nose, the Chin, the Ear, the Teeth. 

Chapter X. Other Exposed Parts of the Human Anatomy. 

Chapter XI. Wigs, Beards, Moustaches, and Eyebrows. Choosing 
a Wig, Powdering the Hair, Dimensions for Wigs, Wig Bands, Bald 
Wigs, Ladies' Wigs, Beards on Wire, on Gauze, Crape Hair, Wool, 
Beards for Tramps, Moustaches, Eyebrows. 

Chapter XII. Distinctive and Traditional Characteristics. North 
American Indians, New England Farmers, Hoosiers, Southerners. 
Politicians, Cowboys, Minors, Quakers, Tramps, Creoles, Mulattoes, 
Quadroons, Octoroons, Negroes, Soldiers during War, Soldiers dur- 
ing Peace, Scouts, Pathfinders, Puritans, Early Dutch Settlers, 
Englishmen, Scotchmen, Irishmen, Frenchmen, Italians, Spaniards, 
Portuguese, South Americans, Scandinavians, Germans, Hollanders. 
Hungarians, Gipsies, Russians, Turks, Arabs, Moors, Caffirs, Abys- 
sinians, Hindoos, Malays, Chinese, Japanese, Clowns and Statuary, 
He^-ews, Drunkards, Lunatics, Idiots, Misers, Rogues, 

Address Orders to*" 
THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY ' 

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 



urn 24 1C1G 

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



PLAYS 



016 102 722 4 



And Entertainme nt Books. 

"JJlEING the largest theatrical booksellers in 
V& the United States, we keep in stock the most 
complete and best assorted lines of plays and en- 
tertainment books to be found anywhere. 

We can supply any play or book pub- 
lished. We have issued a catalogue of the best 
plays and entertainment books published in 
America and England. It contains a full 
description of each play, giving number of char- 
acters, time of playing, scenery, costumes, etc. 
This catalogue will be sent free on application. 

The plays described are suitable for ama- 
teurs and professionals, and nearly all of them 
may be played free of royalty. Persons inter- 
ested in dramatic books should examine our cat- 
alogue before ordering elsewhere. 

We also carry a full line of grease paints, 
face powders, hair goods, and other "make-up" 
materials. 

The Dramatic Publishing Company 
CHICAGO 



